Austin, Texas
June 2-5, 2013
Proud Sponsor:
Liability and Ethics
You try hard to notarize “by the book,” but there are unavoidable gray areas that make you second guess yourself. In this workshop, you’ll learn about ethical guidelines to follow when laws are vague or unclear. We’ll discuss when you might be held liable for an improper notarization and what you need to do when you learn that someone has filed a claim against you.
After taking this workshop, you will able to do the following:
- Follow clear ethical guidelines when statutes, regulations, or official directives fall short
- Understand how you might be liable for an improper notarization
- Find out how your surety company can work for you
Scheduled Time:
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11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday May 24, 2011
Smooth Signing: A Walk-Through of Loan Documents
Walk through a loan signing with experts who will explain the purpose of each significant document and how to conduct a mistake-free signing. In addition, learn tips to make sure that all parties to a signing feel comfortable with the transaction.
After attending this workshop, you will be able to do the following:
- Notarize loan documents with confidence
- Interact professionally with signers
- Deal competently with special circumstances
- Avoid mistakes that could delay a signing or land you in trouble
Scheduled Time:
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11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday May 24, 2011
The Fundamentals of Notarization
Review the fundamentals, including basic steps to a flawless notarization and common notarial acts. This introductory workshop is for new Notaries from all states, and we will not address state-specific rules or requirements.
After taking this workshop, you will be able to do the following:
- Follow the five steps of notarization
- Understand and be able to perform any of the common notarial acts with confidence
- Deter fraud and avoid errors that could harm you or the signer
Scheduled Time:
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11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday May 24, 2011
Controlling the Fraud Epidemic
It is no exaggeration to say that fraud is epidemic in this country. It is widespread, it is extremely common, and it is increasing all the time. One of the primary roles of a Notary Public is to deter fraud. But how do Notaries do that? What fraud-prevention tools do they have at their disposal, and what authority do they have to use them? This workshop will show both Notaries and those who employ Notaries how simply following proper notarial procedures allows Notaries to detect, deter, and prevent all sorts of fraudulent activity and to help prosecute people who have committed fraud.
After taking this workshop, you will able to do the following:
- Define fraud
- Name the two types of fraud most commonly seen by Notaries
- Identify and implement the notarial procedures that best control fraud
- Explain how and why these procedures control fraud
- Understand the liability risks of failing to follow these procedures
Scheduled Times:
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10:20 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
Monday May 23, 2011 -
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday May 24, 2011
Troublesome Notarizations
There are always situations that don’t seem to fit the standard procedures. This practical workshop covers such situations as foreign language speakers and documents, wills, determining willingness and awareness, and notarizing for minors.
After taking this workshop, you will able to do the following:
- Determine a signer’s willingness and awareness
- Perform notarizations for foreign language signers, minors, and others
- Perform copy certifications
- Avoid errors in notarizing wills
Scheduled Time:
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11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday May 24, 2011
When and How to Say No
How do you tell a customer that you cannot notarize his or her document? Many customers don't know — or don't care — that you must follow laws, rules, and procedures regarding notarization. Through interactive group discussions, we will provide you with explanations to help your signers understand the importance of following Notary laws and best practice procedures, thereby enabling you to easily overcome awkward situations.
After taking this workshop, you will be able to do the following:
- Understand why certain requests for notarization are considered improper
- Respond to improper requests for notarization in a straightforward yet tactful manner
- Protect yourself in situations that may put you at greater risk for liability
Scheduled Time:
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1:40 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.
Tuesday May 24, 2011
Understanding the Use of Witnesses in Notarization
There are many types of witnesses that Notaries encounter, ranging from witnesses to the signing of a document, to a witness for a proof of execution. At this workshop, you’ll learn the differences among them as well as the requirements and expectations for each.
After attending this workshop, you will be able to do the following:
- Identify each type of witness and know when each is called for
- Describe the characteristics of acceptable witnesses
Scheduled Time:
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1:40 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.
Tuesday May 24, 2011
The Journal as Fraud Deterrent
Did you know that one of the primary roles of a Notary Public is to deter fraud? And did you know that maintaining a detailed and accurate record of all notarial acts is one of the most effective anti-fraud weapons in the Notary’s arsenal? This workshop will not only teach Notaries how to properly record their notarizations in a journal but will also teach both Notaries and those who employ them why keeping a journal helps prevent ID and document fraud from occurring. We will show you how a Notary’s journal records can be used to prevent these types of fraud from succeeding.
After attending this workshop, you will be able to do the following:
- Define fraud
- Name the purpose and characteristics of a journal of notarial acts
- Understand and describe the ways in which detailed journal entries can deter, prevent, and help prosecute ID and document fraud
- Complete (Notaries) or recognize (employers) a correct journal entry
- Understand the liability risks of failing to maintain a proper journal
Scheduled Time:
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1:40 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.
Tuesday May 24, 2011
The Most Commonly Notarized Documents
Get an overview of the types of documents Notaries are most often asked to notarize, what their purposes are, and the types of notarization that are most used on these documents.
Some of the things you can look forward to:
- Easily identify the type of document and the notarization required for the most common notarizations
- Perform the most common notarizations with confidence and professionalism
Scheduled Time:
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1:40 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.
Tuesday May 24, 2011
Notarizing Healthcare Documents
Learn how to identify the documents that you will most often be asked to notarize when you are called to a hospital, hospice, or assisted living facility. Join in a group discussion of the notarial challenges that may occur in a health care situation, and how you may project a competent and caring bedside manner while notarizing.
After taking this workshop, you will able to do the following:
- Understand the purpose of various health care documents
- Successfully handle the challenges of notarizing documents in a health care setting
- Develop an appropriate bedside manner as you relate to signers in health care facilities
Scheduled Time:
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1:40 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.
Tuesday May 24, 2011
You, Your Employer, Your Customers, and Liability
A Notary’s liability for damages resulting from an improper act is almost limitless. Penalties can range from a small fine to something as potentially devastating as the loss of one’s Notary commission. In addition, a Notary’s employer can also be held liable for a Notary’s mistakes. We will show you how Notaries and their employers can avoid situations of potential liability by taking simple preventive measures. Come and hear answers to crucial questions about liability being asked by Notaries and employers.
After taking this workshop, you will able to do the following:
- Apply critical thinking to realistic scenarios that you potentially may encounter in a work setting
- Understand the difference between the Notary’s responsibilities as an employee and as a public official
- Take simple precautionary measures to protect yourself from potential liability
Scheduled Time:
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3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 24, 2011
Notarizing Family Documents
Get an overview of the most significant documents that families ask to have notarized — documents related to marriage, separation and divorce, child custody and support, and trusts. Learn the purposes of family - and estate-law documents, the type of notarization most often called for on each sort of document, and the challenges that may occur when notarizing them.
After taking this workshop, you will able to do the following:
- Identify the most commonly notarized family documents
- Understand the purpose and challenges of each document
- Properly notarize any document related to family matters
Scheduled Time:
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3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 24, 2011
Detecting and Preventing ID Fraud
Did you know that one of your primary responsibilities as a Notary is to verify the identity of every person for whom you notarize? And did you know that failing to do so properly can land you in very hot water? This workshop will teach you how to properly verify someone’s identity and, as a result, how to avoid potential liability for ID fraud. The workshop will cover the most common types of ID fraud, what to look for when you are assessing an ID card, what to do when you are faced with a dubious ID card, and why it is so important for you to scrutinize every ID card you see.
After taking this workshop, you will able to do the following:
- Define fraud
- Name the most common forms of ID cards that Notaries may accept
- Name and define the security features most commonly seen on modern ID cards
- Name, define, and know how to detect the three forms of false identification
- Know what to do — and what not to do — when faced with a dubious ID card
- Understand your liability risks if you fail to adequately vet the identity of your signers
Scheduled Times:
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1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Monday May 23, 2011 -
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 24, 2011
Sorry, Borrower, No Can Do!
You are at a loan closing and you receive an improper request for notarization from a borrower, lender, or title agent. What do you do? You feel pressured because all parties just want the loan to close and fund on time. And if things don’t work out, you may not get paid! Through interactive group discussions, we will help you think of proper responses to avoid the heated haggling that may result if you are caught off guard.
After taking this workshop, you will able to do the following:
- Provide answers to the most-commonly asked questions during loan signings
- Refuse requests for improper notarizations with confidence
- Explain your reasons for refusing to notarize
Scheduled Time:
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3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 24, 2011
Signer Challenges
Join a discussion on the common misconceptions about people with disabilities, the proper etiquette when dealing with signers with disabilities, and notarial laws and practices that may be applicable.
After taking this workshop, you will able to do the following:
- Propose alternative ways to verify a signer’s identity
- Notarize for signers with a physical or intellectual ability
- Perform a signature by mark
- Know when to refuse to notarize
Scheduled Time:
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3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 24, 2011
Interactive Learning Lab
The NNA's Curriculum Development team has created a series of activities that will allow you to test your notarial knowledge, work on interactive computer and hands-on simulations, catch up on and learn from recent news and articles of “Notaries in the News,” and engage in Notary Signing Agent activities.
After taking this workshop, you will able to do the following:
- Interactive Computer Simulations
- Complete the Certificate
- Complete the Journal
- Assess the ID Card
- Choose Your Own Notarization Adventure (scenario-based, branching-logic eLearning)
- Interactive Hands-On Notarization Scenarios
- Notary Signing Agent Activities
- Opportunities to network with your fellow Notaries
Scheduled Times:
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8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday May 23, 2011 -
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday May 24, 2011 -
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday May 25, 2011
* Note: NNA Conference program information subject to change.
